Obtaining a Library Card

A library card is a privilege. Library cards are free to those who live or work in Maryland. There is a $5.00 annual fee for others. A photo ID with your name and current mailing address is required for verification. A parent or legal guardian must accompany and sign for applicants under age 16. Library records are confidential.

The borrower/guardian is responsible for the card’s security and condition, any material that is checked out on the card, and for any charges incurred.

Please notify the library of any name, phone number or address change, and report lost or stolen cards immediately. Replacement cards are available at a cost of $5.00 each plus any charges on the account.

A valid library card (one with less than $10.00 in charges) is required to check out, renew, or request library materials. Your library card can be used in any public library in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties. Loan policies and rules may vary for each county.

Library Cards for Minors

We issue cards to a minor on the request and consent of the parent or legal guardian. Although the consenting parent or legal guardian is asked to sign the application and the card, the card is registered in the child’s name and is considered to be that child’s card by the library. What you should know about the use of this child’s card:

• You have agreed to be responsible for any charges on your child’s card.

• You have agreed that your child can use any library resource including the Internet with the presentation of this card.

• You may access your child’s records at any time in the library or at home with a personal computer Internet connection using their card and PIN number. Ask any librarian to help you if you do not know how to do this.

• The Laws of Maryland prohibit the access of this child’s record by the library without the presentation of their library card. Therefore this card must be presented for all transactions to be done on this record including checkouts, paying fines, and determining what items are checked out to this card.

Requesting Items Online Using Your Library Card

To request an item online:

• Using the online catalog, locate the item you wish to request.
• Click on the blue "Details" button.
• Click "Place Hold" to the left of the screen.
• Type in your library card barcode number.
• Type in your PIN.
• Select a library for item pickup.
• Click "Place Hold" to place the hold or "Reset" to start over.

Personal Identification Numbers -- Your PIN

Your PIN is a Personal Identification Number attached to your library account. Every library card also has a PIN that goes with it. The PIN is almost always a four-digit number. You may have chosen this number or it may have been randomly assigned to you. If you don't know your PIN, try entering the word "CHANGE" in all capital letters. This is often a default if you don't remember creating a PIN.

Changing Your PIN:
There are two ways to change your PIN. First, you can come to the library with your library card and a valid photo ID and ask us to change your PIN. From home, you can select "Check Your Account" on our homepage, enter your account numbers, click "Display User Information", and then click "My Account." From there, select "User PIN Change" and follow the instructions.

Donating books to the Library

• Magazines
• Textbooks
• Readers Digest Condensed Books
• National Geographic Magazines
• Encyclopedias more than 5 years old
• Books with mold or mildew
• Records